I'll tell you a story
About Jesus Christ's visit
To Local Assemblies
That make up His body.
He sent us a message
To get ourselves ready
That He would be coming
On a day that He told us.

'Well, that makes it easy,'
We all thought, delighted
Our Master would visit
And find us all ready!
We hustled and bustled
And made preparations.
Our Master was coming
In three weeks, He'd promised.

We scrubbed and we painted
Our places of meeting,
Till all were a-gleaming
And spotless to finish!
Some changed all their curtains
And purchased new carpets;
Refurbished their altars
And made them pure gold!

Then we thought we should get us
New clothes and fine footwear
To welcome our Master
And give Him real pleasure.
Some borrowed to buy clothes
Some thought it unwise, 'cos
The Master does not care
For things of this world.

And so came the third week
For which we'd been waiting.
Our dearly-loved Master
Came just as He'd promised.
We all cheered, 'Alleluia!'
And awaited His comments:
For we were all spotless
And sparkling and wholesome.

'Well done, my dear children
You've worked very hard.
Your buildings are shining
Your clothes are quite nice
However you left out
One precious, dear detail
To work on your character -
Look more like me.'

'I thought I would take you
With me to the palace
I've prepared in my kingdom
For you by my grace.
But now you're not ready
Oh children, do learn
You can't make my kingdom
Except you're like me!'

Now Jesus is coming
Oh children of God
On a day unexpected
Like a thief in the night
He's given us notice,
So start right away
To work on your character
Look more like Him!